Husband Calmly Describes 'Honor Killing' in Chilling Jail Cell Confession: 'I Am Proud of What I Did

Standing behind a set of steel prison bars, Muhammad Ismail calmly described how and why he murdered his wife, mother-in-law and sister-in-law, never once showing signs remorse.

"I asked my wife to bring me my clothes. When she went inside the bedroom i shot and killed her," Ismail said, expressionless.

"She didn't say anything when I shot her. I didn't want to hear what she had to say anyway. The first shot hit the side of her body. I left her there and went next door and killed my wife's mother and sister, then I came back and shot my wife again. I don't remember how many time I shot my wife. The gun was loaded. I stopped when I was sure all the bullets were gone," he added.

The triple-homicide reportedly took place last February in a village in central Pakistan. Ismail's confession provides a frightening first-hand account of an "honor killing," which are occurring more frequently in some parts of the world.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported at least 943  "honor killings" of women in 2011, an increase of more than 100 from 2010, according to CNN. More than 800 of these murders were committed against women accused of having affairs or marrying without permission.

Ismail told police that his wife of eight months regularly flirted with other men and spent many hours away from home.

However, despite his videotaped confession to CNN and a previous confession to police, Ismail may soon be set free if his victims' family accepts compensation for the killings. CNN has more details:

Receiving blood money is an option for victims in many conservative Muslim societies under the Islamic principal that mercy is more noble than revenge.

But women's rights activists complain that in patriarchal societies like Pakistan, 'honor' killers regularly bully and threaten the female victim's family into accepting blood money.

"When it comes to the crime we have a natural reaction of shock and horror, but when we see the justice system not work, our heart breaks," said legal advisor and rights activist Bushra Syed.

According to human rights lawyer Zia Ahmed Awan, victims' families in Pakistan are also at a disadvantage because 'honor' killings often take place in male-dominated communities where women are often viewed as property with few rights to defend themselves and little access to legal aid.

"I am proud of what I did, that's why I turned myself over to police. My wife never made me happy. She was just like a prostitute," Ismail explained. "She never took care of me. If I was sitting or sleeping alone she never kept me company. No, I don't regret what I did. Even if the government hangs me, I wouldn't care. I did this for my honor. I doubt care if I lose my life. No, no, no… I don't miss my wife. How can I miss a prostitute? If anyone's wife deceives him, he should do what I did. He should make her a lesson for other women."

Watch the entire triple-murder confession via CNN here:

Related:

• 'Honor Killing': Pakistani Parents Found Guilty of Suffocating Teenage Daughter Who Refused Forced Marriage to Her First Cousin
• Muslim Family Found Guilty in Canadian Honor Killings
• Report: Islamic Honor Killings on the Rise in the West